Envoys Unsuccessful in Bid to Visit Detainees

Three Western diplomats sat out a second frustrating day in Kabul as a meeting with Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban militia over the fate of eight foreign aid workers held for allegedly promoting Christianity failed to materialize.

The Pakistan-based diplomats from Germany, Australia and the U.S. said consular access to the four Germans, two Australians and two Americans remained the priority, but they also wanted word on the punishment the workers face.

“I don’t believe that this is a snub at all. I think they are still trying to work out the strategy of granting and not granting [consular] access,” Australian envoy Alistair Adams said.